Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson says Duncan Idehen's return to Bristol City was the best option for all parties after the central defender failed to do enough to earn himself regular first-team minutes.
The 20-year-old centre-back moved to Simpson's side in the summer on a six-month loan but made just two substitute appearances in League Two. He was out of the matchday squad for Carlisle's last three matches.
Idehen, who signed a two-year contract extension with the Robins in May, returned to BS3 last week after feeling unhappy with his lack of football. Simpson praised his character during his temporary stint but conceded he fell down the pecking order after coming in to provide cover at the back.
Interestingly, Simpson suggested the left-footed central defender initially came in to provide cover at left wing-back but realised he wouldn't be able to influence his side in that position. Reported by Carlisle's official site, the former City coach and caretaker manager said: "Unfortunately for Duncan, Jon Mellish has been a definite starter in nearly every game for us.
"He was going to give us cover for Jack Armer, but I realised very quickly that he wasn’t going to be a left wing-back in the style that I wanted.
“He was there as cover for the centre back and I just felt there were other players ahead of him. When I found out he was unhappy about being here and not getting games - the last thing I want to do is make anybody’s life unhappy.
"He wasn’t going to be getting too many minutes with the way things have gone in that area of the pitch and we have to bear in mind that meant he wasn’t particularly happy with that, which is fair enough.
"He didn’t want to be in that situation. I had a good chat with him last week and he’d spoken to Brian Tinnion at Bristol City to explain that he was feeling unhappy. He’d come here to play and, to be fair to Brian, he’d said to him that there were never any guarantees and that when you’re out on loan you have to earn the right.
“I could have been really selfish and said no, you’re staying here until January and we’ll let you go then, but I don’t see the point in that.
“I and we need players at this club who are happy. He wasn’t disruptive in any way, he’s a really good fella, he went about his business properly and he worked hard.
“My opinion was that he hadn’t done enough to play in the team so we allowed him to go to let himself get settled back in at Bristol, and then they can make a decision on what they’re going to do in January with him.”
Carlisle currently sit sixth in the league with just four points separating fourth and Ryley Towler's AFC Wimbledon in 12th. City will now have discussions to determine the best course of action for Idehen who will feel he needs a regular run of first-team matches.
He made his Robins debut in the 3-1 win over Derby in April and followed that up with a substitute appearance against Huddersfield but he had played just six times for Grimsby before that. Simpson added: "The thing I say to players coming into our club, and also going out on loan, is there’s no guarantee you’re going to play.
“I never gave Duncan any assurances he would play. They’ve got to earn the right and show they’re better than the players in their position. Unfortunately for Duncan he didn’t show he was better than Jon Mellish, hasn’t shown me he was better than Corey Whelan or Morgan Feeney, or Ben Barclay for that matter.
“He’s just been unfortunate that we’ve had other players ahead of him. When the chance has come to play, I’ve chosen to play other players. That’s life. It’s a good education."
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